Saturday, May 26, 2018

Educational Links 5/27/18

Why misbehaviour isn’t just a free choice


Two Useful Videos About Immigration To The U.S.

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/05/25/two-useful-videos-about-immigration-to-the-u-s/

How Constraints Can Stimulate Creative Solutions




50 SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

3 Ways to Make Digital Citizenship Part of Your Everyday Teaching



Making the Ethical Leap to Strengths-Based IEPs


5 Ways Any School Can Be A 21st Century School


But there is more going on than is immediately visible. The field (industry?) of public education is struggling not just to correct its inefficiencies, but to define itself entirely. And with the adoption of truly national standards in the Common Core movement, the possibility of pockets of unique academic “identity” emerging across the nation have been reduced in pursuit of uniformity and sameness.

Educational Links 5/27/18

Why misbehaviour isn’t just a free choice


Two Useful Videos About Immigration To The U.S.

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/05/25/two-useful-videos-about-immigration-to-the-u-s/


How Constraints Can Stimulate Creative Solutions




50 SCHOOL LIBRARIES TO FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

3 Ways to Make Digital Citizenship Part of Your Everyday Teaching



Making the Ethical Leap to Strengths-Based IEPs


5 Ways Any School Can Be A 21st Century School


But there is more going on than is immediately visible. The field (industry?) of public education is struggling not just to correct its inefficiencies, but to define itself entirely. And with the adoption of truly national standards in the Common Core movement, the possibility of pockets of unique academic “identity” emerging across the nation have been reduced in pursuit of uniformity and sameness.


Wherefore, Oh Summer's Day?


Kindergartener's portrait of Emily Dickinson after reading this poem.

The bee is not afraid of me.
I know the butterfly -
The pretty people in the Woods


Receive me cordially -





The Brooks laugh louder


When I come -


The Breezes madder play;




Wherefore mine eye thy silver mists,




Wherefore, Oh Summer’s Day?




Marine Blue Butterfly in my Butterfly Garden
Bee watering station.

Educational Links 5/26/18



How Kids Benefit From Learning To Explain Their Math Thinking



Why 'Unlearning' Old Habits Is An Essential Step For Innovation



USING GOOGLE TO MAXIMIZE STUDENT ORGANIZATION AND PRODUCTIVITY


Finally, Apps That Build Productive Habits




Optimizing Professional Learning for Educators

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-05-23-optimizing-professional-learning-for-educators-infographic?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ad


Two studies point to the power of teacher-student relationships to boost learning


Building a Positive Staff Culture Takes Work


Some of the best professional advice I’ve heard and keep returning to is “Designate time to what you want.” If teachers want a stronger classroom community, they need to use instructional time to build it. If leaders want more collaboration, they must allot time in the master schedule. The same idea holds if a school wants a strong adult culture.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Memorial Day and Regular Kids Who Were Heroes

This crew was delivering supplies to French civilians during the D Day invasion and was shot down. My dad's cousin, Blake Treece, T/Sgt. Radioman, is in the second row, fifth (l to r.)
My dad was from Marshall, Arkansas. He was 21 years old when Pearl Harbor happened. His older brother, Robert, had already volunteered to fly with the English in the Battle of Britain. As boys, they had built an airplane in the backyard, and dad had participated in a local aeronautical club as an
Robert, Grandma, Alphia, Larry, Maxine. Just after Pearl Harbor Day.
instructor. Both brothers were going to a teacher's college (Arkansas State Teacher's College), until Robert volunteered to fly with the British.
After Pearl Harbor Day,  my dad (Larry) joined the Navy, and my aunt Maxine joined the Army. Both my dad and Uncle Robert flew in the Pacific. My dad was a quick study, after flying Corsairs, became an instructor pilot. Robert became one of the first pilots to fly a B29 as part of the Billy Mitchell Group, sort of a test pilot while fighting the war.

The Lady Hamilton, B 29, Billy Mitchell Group.
Robert was captain of Lady Hamilton B 29, on a bombing mission that flew from India, over the Himalayas (called 'Flying the Hump') and China to Japan when the plane developed engine trouble, and the second target was chosen. Japanese Zeroes pursued. Robert, as captain, ordered most of the crew to parachute out (they were aided by Chinese and survived.) He and two other crew completed the mission but were shot down by the Zeroes, losing their lives in 1944.

College Memorial (OCA) with the names Robert Mills and Blake Treece.


My grandma's nephew and my dad's first cousin, Blake Treece, was a radio operator for a B-17 in the European theatre. Blake left the same college as his cousins to enlist. His plane was shot down in 1944 over France. The remains of the crew were buried by a French farmer, and recovered in 2006 due to  historical excavations of the Caen area. Blake and his crew members were then buried in 2006 in a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Another of my grandmother's nephews and my dad's first cousin from Searcy, Arkansas, Claude A. McBride, served in the Army in the Philippines, being killed in action.

Regular kids from a most regular, simple town in America, Marshall, Arkansas. Where does the courage and brilliance come from? On this Memorial Day, by my observation as a teacher, the USA is filled with such courage and brilliance in all our boys and girls. Devotion, teamwork, collaboration that leads to heroic deeds develops in the minds, spirits, and souls of kids allowed to believe in their own capacity for excellence and their intrinsic value as citizens. Kids from all demographics and ethnicities, which is, of course, what America is made of.

I feel compassion for my little grandma in the photo, knowing she would lose her Robert. And her brother and sister would lose their Claude and not know ever what happened to Blake. (They passed away before his remains were found.)

We can value their choice to serve our country and expect the same excellence and commitment to all varieties of service to continue because all regular kids can be heroes. And they're sitting in your classrooms.

Blake's sister communicated with me after the original post in 2015, and told me about my dad's family in Arkansas. I'm very amazed and validated to have access to such information. Amazing world nowadays.

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Educational Links 5/25/18

Why Students Don’t Do Their Homework–And What You Can Do About It

Contests & Giveaways



Arts Education Faces Uphill Battle


How Children's Socioeconomic Differences Play Out Over Summer Break


The Future of AI Depends on High-School Girls


Navigating Confrontations With Parents


Human brains are social organs—they’re neurobiologically wired for connection. But just as our students’ brains can be adversely affected by negative dispositions, adversities, and behaviors, so can their parents’ brains, affecting relationships with teachers.


Summer Activity: Can You Swim?

Olympic Gold Medal Winner Cullen Jones and the Make a Splash Initiative http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York


Swimming is so much fun--as close to flying as you can imagine. But lots of kids don't have instruction in swimming and water safety. And, btw, grown-ups, do you swim? Or do you just sit by the pool/lake/river/ocean and watch the kids have fun? Let's get with it! Just for safety's sake if nothing else. And girls and ladies, wet hair shouldn't deter you. There are caps, if desired. Sunburn shouldn't deter you--wear a tee shirt and waterproof sunblock, and watch the time. Find a cool summer hat. Too fat, too skinny? Who cares. And if you swim enough, it will give you a marvelous, smooth, muscular bod, and improve your physical and mental health amazingly. Mostly,  IT IS JUST SO MUCH FUN! And we're not even discussing games, sports, and activities involving water. Here is some inspiration to learn:

Simone Manuel,, USA 2016
"The gold medal wasn't just for me. It was for people that came before me and inspired me to stay in the sport. For people who believe that they can't do it. I hope I'm an inspiration to others to get out there and try swimming. You might be pretty good at it."
See girls, swim caps can look cute.

Water Safety Make a Splash Tour Featuring Cullen Jones Hits New York

http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/USA/34367.asp?q=Water-Safety-Make-a-Splash-Tour-Featuring-Cullen-Jones-Hits-New-York 

The Importance Of Swimming Lessons For Safety, Health and Enjoyment

http://www.enjoy-swimming.com/importance-of-swimming.html 

17 yr old Lia Neal wins Olympic swim medal

Why Is It Important to Know How to Swim?

http://www.livestrong.com/article/457393-why-is-it-important-to-know-how-to-swim/ 

5 reasons swimming lessons are important for older kids and tweens

http://www.chicagonow.com/tween-us/2013/10/tween-pool-swimming-lessons/ 

Confidence in the water--oh yeah.

Disabled Swimmers Gus and Nia Swimming at Northern Arena 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcCs9nWl7ZY 

What's Good About Being a Swimmer

http://swimming.about.com/od/swimworkouts/a/swim_benefit.htm 

 
What's good about being a swimmer? Well, guys, you can look like Michael Phelps. http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org/

 

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Educational Links 5/24/18



How Helping Students to Ask Better Questions Can Transform Classrooms


Train Your Students to Think Like Researchers

Optimizing Professional Learning for Educators



        ISTE Announces First Educator Certification for Using Technology in the Classroom



15 EdTech Experts: Brands, Blogs, and Resources to Help You in the Classroom


How Giving Students Feedback Through Video Instead of Text Can Foster Better Understanding


Cognitive scientists may be less surprised by the enthusiasm for video grading. Simply put, video carries more communication cues, such as tone of voice and facial expression, than a written message. Those clues make it easier for students to correctly interpret their teacher’s meaning.

It's Year End- Finish Strong and Have Some Fun


Ten Creative Alternatives to Showing Movies Before the Break 

http://www.spencerauthor.com/projectsbeforebreak/

Use These Activities to Wind Up Learning as the School Year Winds Down


Activity ideas for the end of the school year
Inside Todd's Brain http://www.todd-finley.com/

Top 12 Effective End of the Year Activities



What to Do on Lame Duck School Days



Inside Todd's Brain http://www.todd-finley.com/

ADHD--What To Do


ADHD Is Fuel for Adventure

http://www.outsideonline.com/2048391/adhd-fuel-adventure 

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF ADHD MOST PEOPLE MISS

http://www.healthist.co/2016/01/30/early-warning-signs-of-adhd-most-people-miss/ 

4 Key Symptoms of ADHD

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/key-symptoms-signs-adhd 

When ADHD Isn't What It Seems 

http://www.specialneedsdigest.com/2016/02/when-adhd-isnt-what-it-seems.html :

This site is an excellent resource:

http://www.additudemag.com/channel/adhd-learning-disabilities/index.html

Exercise Is Adderall Minus the Profits

https://www.inverse.com/article/10577-exercise-is-adderall-minus-the-profits 

An old-school paradigm for treating ADHD can replace habit-forming drugs, but isn't profitable enough for the pharmaceutical age.

Yasmin Tayag

 

It's Summer, There's Time To...


OMG! its summer!
...browse National Geographic and National Geographic Kids. (online or with your fingers with a real smooth magazine with pages.)

 http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

 or

 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/coloringbook/archive/







BTW its okay to color between the lines somedays.



Sorry, must gloat.
 or


How to Go to the Zoo


 http://www.curatormagazine.com/mattkirkland/how-to-go-to-the-zoo/



Ah, those humans...always eating.
or

 Picnics With Kids

Picnics are easy (and free) family outings that kids love.

http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/kidsactivitiesfamilyfun/tp/picnics.htm 

COWABUNGA DUDE!

 

 or

go to the beach or river or shore; and get sand everywhere.

 Top Tips on What to Take to the Beach with kids

http://blog.trekaroo.com/2011/06/29/top-tips-on-what-to-take-to-the-beach-with-kids/ 

 

Mom, what's for breakfast?

 or

when its 101 F or 37C...

watch documentaries.

I believe you can find many, many online, through NetflixHulu, or other networks or channels.

Here are some suggestions.

Nature Documentaries for Kids and Families

 http://kidstvmovies.about.com/od/animalsandnature/tp/naturedocs.htm

I prefer the ones where the animals are not constantly eating eat other. I frequently match the documantaries to fiction, like White Fang and documentaries on wolves. It is so interesting for adults, too.

It's Summer, There's Time To Hang Out With Mom

          Thanks, Nat Geo, for these phenomenal pics. 

                                You are awesome.

 


Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Educational Links 5/23/18


Digital Leadership is Not Optional




Depressing Statistic Of The Day: Majority Of Teens Worried Shooting Could Happen At Their School



Arne Duncan Is Serious: Americans Should Boycott School


How Being Part of a 'House' Within a School Helps Students Gain A Sense of Belonging



End-of-the-Year Tips From a Very Tired Teacher



Finding the Source of Reading Difficulties


Relearning how to teach phonics—or learning how to do so for the first time—can seem like a daunting task to teachers who also need to implement best practices in secondary literacy in their classrooms. But children who are reading far below grade level need us to meet them where they are. By building our knowledge of how literacy develops, we can make sure that we can support every child.